Harth takes on dangerous Tigers

Gracemere captain Michael Harth was in hot form bagging five

A BIT of juice in the Rockhampton Cricket Ground wicket encouraged Gracemere captain Michael Harth to send Norths Tigers in to bat.

One ball into the innings and Harth knew he had done the right thing.

Picking up the new ball, Harth took the wicket of dangerous Tigers opener Craig Wilkes with his first delivery to give Gracemere the upper hand.

With Harth building up a head of steam and Ben Milne continuing his good form it wasn't until late in the innings that Tigers looked as if they could even reach 100 runs.

Josh Forrest and James Parr gave the innings a little respectability in scoring 21 and 41 respectively but it was all too late as Tigers' innings ended with the total at just 111.

Harth was the destroyer-in-chief with a five wicket haul while Milne also did well taking three wickets in the Tigers top order.

Gracemere cruised past the victory total and continued to bat through to the 50th over.

Mark O'Keeffe hit a fine half century as did John Miles while Aaron Harmsworth was on the money once more clubbing 38 before losing his wicket to spin bowler Justin Peacock.

With nothing to play for Tigers gave everyone a turn with the ball, some gaining more success from the exercise than others. Peacock was the pick for Tigers taking five wickets but going for over five runs an over in the process.

Harth said he was impressed with his team's display against an opposition he had considered dangerous. “There was a little bit in the wicket early on but the ball was not exploding off the pitch,” he said.